Technically sound, versatile and creative in possession, Rakitic regularly tracks back to help out defensively. Croatia will look to him to supplement the goal threat of Mario Mandzukic.

Rakitic was born in Switzerland and played for the Swiss under-21 side.

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ALEN HALILOVIC

Creative midfielder Alen Halilovic, who turns 18 in June and will join Barcelona next season, is the Croatian first division’s youngest ever scorer and the youngest ever debutante for the Croatian national team.

Currently playing for Dinamo Zagreb, Halilovic is considered to be one of the top young talents of European football.